bound 1 of 5

noun (1)

Definition of boundnext
1
as in limit
a real or imaginary point beyond which a person or thing cannot go the language in the novel really is beyond the bounds of decency

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in confines
the line or relatively narrow space that marks the outer limit of something colored outside the bounds of the drawing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

bound

2 of 5

noun (2)

as in leap
an act of leaping into the air the kangaroo took one giant bound and was gone

Synonyms & Similar Words

bound

3 of 5

verb (1)

1
as in to define
to mark the limits of the country is bounded by water on two sides

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to border
to serve as a border for being bounded on all sides by the Alps has helped Switzerland maintain its neutrality

Synonyms & Similar Words

bound

4 of 5

verb (2)

1
as in to hop
to move with a light springing step the child giggled and bounded off to play with her friends

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to leap
to propel oneself upward or forward into the air a rabbit bounded down the garden path

Synonyms & Similar Words

bound

5 of 5

adjective

ˈbau̇nd How to pronounce bound (audio)
as in determined
fully committed to achieving a goal I am bound and determined to write a novel before I turn 30

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bound
Noun
Don't be afraid to test the bounds of your comfort zone and try something new, perhaps some animal prints or bold colors. — Bianca Kratky, Glamour, 27 Oct. 2026 The very next drive, after Mahomes' interception, Darnold found Smith-Njigba again, connecting on a 28-yard touchdown pass thanks to some impressive strength from the 24-year-old wideout to stay in bounds. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Verb
Russia’s support for Tehran has been operationally meaningful but carefully bounded. — Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2026 The Smart Streets program was first launched in November 2024 in an area bounded by Roosevelt Road, Ashland Avenue, North Avenue, and Lake Michigan. — Todd Feurer, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Adjective
The bound paper booklets in which students hand-write their responses to test questions have surged in popularity during the AI explosion. — Jamil Zaki, CNBC, 12 May 2026 The Dodgers’ split-squad group that journeyed the 14 miles from Glendale (and ultimately lost to Texas, 7-6) was largely a skeleton crew of Triple-A bound prospects and wannabes. — Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 28 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bound
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bound
  1. limit
  2. edge
  3. leap
  4. define
  5. border
  6. hop
  7. jump
  8. determined
Noun
  • Marketplace premiums are expected to rise an average of 13%; subsidy limits for some immigrants and other changes could leave more people uninsured.
    — Fatima Hussein, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
  • But a legal dispute over specific statements must not become a warning that a billionaire’s political activity is off-limits.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of limit
Noun
  • Two came from edge Chop Robinson while another was courtesy of fellow edge Josh Uche.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Bake pie until edges of filling are set and slightly puffed but center still wobbles a little when gently shaken, 40–50 minutes (filling will continue to set after baking).
    — Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of edge
Noun
  • Chesney doesn’t have to make that imaginative leap into the future.
    — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
  • By bringing a familiar nameplate into the electric era, VW has a chance to make the transition feel less like a leap into the unknown and more like buying the next version of a car people already understand.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of leap
Verb
  • The film earned its credited screenwriter career-defining Academy Award and BAFTA nominations, and the Writers Guild Award for Original Screenplay.
    — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2026
  • The body was given more brawn, even to the point of beginning to resemble an America muscle car, giving the vehicle a presence that would define it for generations to come.
    — Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of define
Verb
  • It’s partially bordered by homes and near the North American Aerospace Museum.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026
  • In court filings, the two plaintiffs further alleged that the land bordering the Bankhead Highway fell within Aledo’s and Fort Worth’s extraterritorial jurisdictions, or ETJs, so Willow Park had no right to claim it.
    — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of border
Verb
  • Surveillance video shows Jesse Driscoll stopped dead in his tracks, hopped across the lobby, and grabbed a chair as if preparing to tame a lion.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 30 Oct. 2026
  • After Hamilton got done church-hopping, volunteers held a get-out-the-vote event at a brewery not far from COR.
    — Emma Green, New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of hop
Verb
  • Under the change, those ceilings will jump to $3,000 for individuals and $6,000 for families.
    — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 29 Oct. 2026
  • At Emma Long Metropolitan Park in Northwest Austin, the number of burglaries reported within 300 feet of the park more than quadrupled from 2024 to 2025, jumping from 15 to 68.
    — Data Reporter, Austin American Statesman, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of jump
Adjective
  • The winless Heat looked determined to get its first victory of the season, playing with aggressiveness and force on Wednesday.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Hoping to sell the property while preserving his uncle’s legacy, Joe finds himself at odds with Darren (Swardson), the ambitious owner of a neighbouring go-kart track determined to bulldoze the course and expand his racing empire.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of determined

Browse Nearby Words

bouncy
bound
boundaries
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bound.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bound. Accessed 3 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of candidate

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

Ten More Words from Taylor Swift Songs

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
couple-laugh-cafe
Quiz: Foreign Phrases You Should Know Check out your bona fides and avoid any faux pas.
See All